Transformation of Phosphorus in Forest and Savannah Agro-Ecological Alfisols incubated with Different Phosphorus Fertilizers,in Ekiti state,Southwestern Nigeria

Experiments on incubation with phosphorus (P) changes in two Nigerian Alfisols, were evaluated on the effectiveness of P sources (ground phosphate rock, GRP-9% P, Pace-setter Organo-Mineral Fertilizer (PR-fortified P-S-OM, 11% P and single superphosphate, SSP-7.7% P, for reference). All samples were adjusted to water tension measured at M Ψ w = 0.03 MPa. Changes in applied P were evaluated at 2, 6, 12 and 24 weeks after which data were analyzed using analysis of variance and correlations. Over 24 weeks of incubation, SSP transformed mostly into iron (Fe)-bound P and GPR produced the highest inorganic phosphate ions and transformed largely into the soluble and more chemically stable residual P, in both soils. This fraction, had high and positive correlations (r = 0.69, p < 0.05) with soil properties and constituted a major source and sinks of plant available P. Thus, GPR contributing beneficial effects of residual phosphates.